5 storylines to keep an eye on in Week 4 of high school football

Thursday

Ashbrook and Forestview meet in an early Big South 3A clash, while five of the area's six undefeated teams take the field Friday night.

What team will kickoff Big South 3A play with a win - Ashbrook or Forestview?

Conference play for most doesn’t start for a few weeks. Gastonia city rivals Ashbrook and Forestview are getting somewhat of a headstart on everyone else, however, kicking off their Big South 3A slate against each other in Week 4.

Ashbrook has started its 2018 campaign with wins over East Mecklenburg and East Lincoln. The Green Wave rushing attack has been the difference in both, averaging nearly 364 yards per game.

Spearheading the Ashbrook attack has been senior running back Tyreese Nicholas, who has 380 yards and three touchdowns through two games.

On the other hand, Forestview comes in as losers of two in a row - falling to Clover and South Point in consecutive weeks.

Finding a rhythm on offense can go a long way toward helping matters. The Jaguar offense has been held scoreless the first half in each of their last two games.

Will South Point stay with quarterback Jamani Leeper or will Keaton Hale return under center?

Jamani Leeper was prepared to spend in the South Point backfield this season … just not under center. That spot was reserved for quarterback Keaton Hale, who earned the spot following the graduation of former Red Raider signal caller Scottie Lee.

But when Hale went down with a knee injury against Crest in Week 1, it was Leeper who took over the offensive huddle.

Following a rough start in mop-up duty in the season opener, he has led South Point to impressive wins over Lincolnton and Forestview in consecutive weeks. But with Hale’s health improving by the day, is this the week the it returns to the man who won the job or do the Red Raiders stick with the steady hand?

By no means is this a quarterback controversy. However, possessing two quarterbacks and your offense not skip a beat is a luxury most coaches would love to have.

Can Highland Tech continue momentum, down South Davidson to go 2-0?

David DeLaO could not have asked for a better start to his tenure at Highland Tech.

Sitting out the first two weeks with byes, the Rams made up for lost time by racking up 478 yards of total offense in a 51-0 rout of South Davidson. Highland Tech was just as effective on the defensive side of the ball, limiting its opponent to 114 total yards of offense.

With the opener now behind it, the question is whether Highland Tech for real?

The Rams can go a long way toward answering that against Lake Norman Charter, which has started with wins in two of its first three games. Possessing balance on both sides of the football, it will certainly offer a program looking to change its reputation a stern test.

What winless team will pick up its first victory - Lincolnton or East Gaston?

Saying Lincolnton and East Gaston have struggled to start the 2018 season would be an understatement.

Both 0-3, the teams have been outscored by an average of 29 points per game.

For Lincolnton, its offense has sputtered out the gate. The Wolves have mustered an average of 174 yards in their first three contests, earning only three trips to pay dirt.

In fact, Lincolnton has yet to reach a double-digit point total this season.

The woes for East Gaston have been on the other side of the spectrum.

While the Warriors boast some weapons on the offensive side of the football, too often they have been forced to play catch up due to a porous defense. Through three games, opponents have scored 174 points - including North Gaston setting a new school record with 69 in Week 1.

One of these trends has to give … and maybe it will lead one of them to the winner’s circle.

Six area teams go into Week 4 unscathed. Which of them will remain that way after Friday night’s action?

With each passing week, undefeated teams in the local coverage area become more of an endangered species.

Through Week 4, six teams will kickoff with perfect records - Ashbrook, Highland Tech, Hunter Huss, Kings Mountain, Stuart Cramer and West Lincoln. At least one will make it to next Friday unscathed, with Stuart Cramer next in action Sept. 14 against South Point.

Aside from the Storm, three of the five undefeated local teams taking the field will do so on the road. Hunter Huss seeks redemption after losing to Hickory a season ago; Highland Tech looks to start its season with consecutive wins as it travels to Lake Norman Charter; and Ashbrook heads across town to face Forestview in its Big South 3A opener.

The other two - Kings Mountain and West Lincoln - host Cuthbertson and Foard, respectively.

Joe Hughes can be reached at 704-869-1843 or via e-mail at jhughes@gastongazette.com. Find him on Twitter @JoeLHughesII.

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